Rosler to follow Everton’s lead

Thursday 10 April 2014

Wigan manager Uwe Rosler is set to follow Everton’s lead and learn from their triumph over Arsenal, according to Sky Sports.

The Championship side are set to face the Gunners this Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final and will be hoping to capitalise on Arsenal’s frail confidence after a 3-0 battering by Everton last weekend.

Rosler lead the Latics to an excellent 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the last round and admitted that he had followed the lead of his predecessor and now current Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

"I watched the game last Sunday and it was another very impressive lesson from Roberto, tactically how Everton approached the game," said the German.

"Not a lot of people focused on how disciplined and how focused Everton Football Club operated in the first 20-25 minutes without the ball.

"Everybody knows Roberto is focused on ball possession but how well the team worked against the ball at the beginning of game was very impressive.

"There were good pictures for me to learn from and also take one or two things on board, like I did with Manchester City in the last round."

Despite Arsenal being clear favourites to win the FA Cup, with Sheffield United and Hull contesting the other semi-final, Wigan are hoping to feed off any possible anxiety surrounding the London club.

Rosler admitted that he would have preferred Everton have lost to Arsenal last weekend and that they go into the next game with greater expectation and pressure.

"For us it would have been better if they had a fantastic result last weekend but they didn't. That creates more pressure on them,” added the 45-year-old.

"I don't think they will underestimate us at this stage of the competition. I think they will be expecting a team that is very much on the front foot from the beginning and wanting to win the tie early on.

"The longer we can stay in the game, the longer we can create uncertainty around Arsenal supporters, the better it is for us.

"There is a little bit of unrest there, expectation is sky high and the longer we are in the tie the more difficult it will be for Arsenal."

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